We all want perfectly white, sparkling teeth, but to achieve this, proper dental hygiene is essential. Even so, some people are still unaware that certain foods and drinks contribute to increased tooth staining and cavities, while others help maintain clean, stain-free teeth.
Every food or drink we consume, depending on its composition, affects the appearance of our teeth in one way or another. Drinks are the most damaging to our teeth, as they are consumed in larger quantities than food, and their liquid nature allows them to penetrate tooth enamel more easily.
The goal of knowing which foods and drinks are beneficial or harmful is not to eliminate them completely from our diet, but rather to understand them and be aware of their effects, with the recommendation to consume them in moderation when our aim is to have clean and beautiful teeth. It’s also important to remember that after consuming them, you should brush your teeth thoroughly with toothpaste and then use mouthwash to reduce residue and contact with the teeth, thus minimizing potential damage to the tooth enamel.
Foods that stain teeth
Wine: It’s one of the biggest enemies of a bright, white smile, whether red or white. Red wine, due to its composition, is the most damaging to the appearance of teeth. It harms our teeth both because of its acidity and the presence of chromogens and tannins in its composition. If consumed regularly, these three components together darken teeth, turning them from white to a garnet hue.
Coffee: It is a beverage that is consumed in large quantities, but it greatly damages the white color of the teeth due to the large amount of chromogens in its composition.
Tea: In this beverage, it is the tannins that cause teeth to stain and lose their color. The most harmful types of tea are black tea and red tea, which give teeth a yellowish tint.
Soft drinks, energy drinks, and sugary sodas: Due to their high sugar content, these are very harmful to our teeth, both because of the stains they can cause and because they promote tooth decay. Furthermore, energy drinks contain many acids that severely damage tooth enamel.
Intensely colored fruits and vegetables: The strong colors of vegetables like beets and fruits like cherries, blackberries, and blueberries cause pigments to bind to teeth and stain them. Additionally, the acidity of citrus fruits can also be harmful.
Sweets: Due to the high presence of colorings and sugars, they become a very harmful food both for the color of the teeth and for the appearance of cavities.
Vinegar and soy sauce: Vinegars such as Modena vinegar or sauces such as soy sauce, due to their intense color, can penetrate the enamel of the teeth and cause stains.
Tobacco: In this case, it’s not a food, but it penetrates the oral cavity and is considered one of the products that most contribute to tooth staining. The nicotine in tobacco is what causes the most damage to the enamel.
Chlorhexidine mouthwashes: While not a food, chlorhexidine is a component recommended for treating gum inflammation and after surgery. However, prolonged use can stain teeth.
How to avoid staining your teeth
Use straws: Drinking beverages that are most harmful to our teeth with a straw will decrease the time they are in contact with the tooth enamel, thus reducing stains and preventing the teeth from losing their shine.
Brush your teeth frequently: You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and, if possible, right after eating or drinking these foods.
Avoid using natural toothpastes: It’s recommended to use toothpastes with hydroxyapatite or fluoride, as they remineralize and strengthen teeth. If your teeth are sensitive, opt for a toothpaste with calcium hydroxide. However, if you want to be sure, it’s best to switch from a regular, non-abrasive toothpaste to a whitening toothpaste, since whitening toothpastes contain silica and help remove stains.
Alcohol-free mouthwashes: This type of mouthwash is recommended because alcohol dries out the mouth and therefore reduces saliva production. If an alcohol-based mouthwash is used very frequently, the gums may dry out and not be properly nourished, leading to gum recession.
Hydration: When consuming brightly colored foods and drinks, it’s best to drink plenty of water, as this helps cleanse the mouth of food and drink and also neutralizes the pH that causes cavities.
Eat vegetables: Consuming vegetables that require chewing helps remove stains from teeth and prevents plaque from forming.
